A R T I C L E S
“What is Plan Change 120?”
PC 120 refers to Plan Change 120 to the Auckland Unitary Plan. It is the proposed replacement for most of Plan Change 78 and the previous blanket application of the Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS). The key objectives are to maintain overall housing capacity (approximately 2 million plan-enabled dwellings) while directing intensification to locations well-served by infrastructure and public transport, and to better manage natural hazard risks.
Main changes include:
Increased height and density around rapid transit stations and frequent transit corridors
Greater intensification within and around town centres and local centres to support walkability and vibrancy
Broader application of Mixed Housing Urban zoning as a transitional density band in accessible locations
PC 120 also introduces a more robust natural hazard framework, including a risk-based classification (significant/tolerable/acceptable), targeted down-zoning of high-risk flood and landslide areas (in some cases to single-house zoning), and new or updated qualifying matters for flooding, coastal hazards, landslides, and special character or environmental areas such as Lake Pupuke.
The plan change is currently proposed and will proceed through public submissions, independent hearings, and Council decisions before becoming operative.
— November 11 2025
“What is Plan Change 79?”
PC 79 refers to Plan Change 79 to the Auckland Unitary Plan, which introduces significant updates to design requirements for access, parking, and loading in residential developments. This includes prioritising pedestrian access with wide, accessible 'Primary Pedestrian Access' paths to front doors from streets (especially in larger multi-unit projects), new rules for loading spaces in developments over ten dwellings on arterial roads, provisions for accessible parking and secure bicycle storage, wiring for electric vehicle charging infrastructure (without mandating chargers), speed management devices like humps on accessways for safety, and standards for heavy vehicle turning areas to reduce reversing. PC 79 is frequently referenced by Council in assessing multi-unit housing proposals for compliance, potentially impacting development yields and typologies, with full details in the decision document at
https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/UnitaryPlanDocuments/pc-79-decision.pdf (from page 71).
— August 8 2024
“What is a Section 92 request?”
A Section 92 refers to a request for further information relating to a consent application. This could include asking for notational changes to architectural plans, about design issues, or for further specialist input to confirm that proposals meet a permitted activity standard. A Section 92 request is often accompanied by recommendations from Council that guide consultant planners and applicants on how to answer the relevant queries.
— August 30, 2022